Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

I don't know if DS likes this nursery; he's only 6mo though... am I jumping the gun?

34 replies

JazzieJeff · 14/04/2011 18:25

DS has been gradually increasing his time with a local nursery in preparation for me going back to work. He seems to enjoy it; smiles when we get there etc and I've never picked him up and he's been upset or anything.

He has been in a good routine from birth, and at the start he was napping pretty well, sleeping pretty well etc. However, during the past week it's all gone to pot. The nursery are saying he won't sleep, and will barely take any food (only his milk). He is currently in 2 days a week; Tuesday and Thursday. The day after nursery, he is sleeping well and eating lots. Then he goes back the next day and won't eat or sleep for them.

I don't know whatg to do. Will he get into it when he goes full time, or should I just withdraw him? I need to re - iterate his routine to them though, because they aren't following it to the letter. Last week, he slept for 1.5 hours in the morning; he normally only has 30 minutes so no wonder he wouldn't sleep at lunch! Please help, I'm on the verge of withdrawing him. I have to go back to work after Easter; I thought this was sorted and now I'm scared I'm damaging him or something.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
RitaMorgan · 14/04/2011 19:10

I doubt it would be a good idea to visit him at lunchtime - it'll just mean you leaving him twice! It'll be upsetting for him for you to arrive and leave again without taking him.

For full time care, I'd look for a childminder - I just don't think nurseries are good places for babies. Having said that, lots of babies don't eat or sleep at nursery at first, or as well as they do at home, so that is quite "normal".

Original poster
JazzieJeff · 14/04/2011 19:04

I have emailed a couple of childminders locally, so I'll see how I get on. I really wanted this nursery to work out because it's on the base where I work, so I would be able to spend my lunchbreaks with him.

OP posts:
Original poster
JazzieJeff · 14/04/2011 19:02

Thanks everyone... He seemed totally fine up until last week I'd say. He comes home and the next day eats and sleeps like a loon, so I don't know whether he's being fussy for them because he wants me to do it, and when he goes full time he'll have to eat/sleep because there's no other option i.e. he doesn't have the next day off to 'catch up'?

I know that they'll have a routine that they'll follow etc but I suppose I'm just concerned that he'll be home as of a weekend and he won't sleep/nap at all. He's a great little sleeper at home. He came back tonight and was starving and raced down (and I've never seen a baby eat THAT fast) a huge bowl of cauliflower cheese. He was so hungry. He is utterly exhausted when he gets home too and sleeps as soon as we can physically get him into his cot after his bath; so about 6pm-7:30/8am the next day.

I know I'm being a bit pfb but I feel bad enough about going back to work Sad

OP posts:
alarkaspree · 14/04/2011 18:44

If you were happy with the nursery before and he seemed to be settling, I would give it more than a week before pulling your ds out. He could be unsettled for any number of reasons - teething, weaning, growth spurt...

When you use a nursery they do have their own schedules and whilst they may try to fit around your baby's existing routine as much as they can, in the long run he's likely to end up being adapted to theirs. That may not be a problem if he is going there full time and obviously his routine will change as he gets older anyway.

If things don't settle down you might want to look at childminders, as moogster says.

drinkyourmilk · 14/04/2011 18:44

Find a childminder before you withdraw him. Otherwise you may end up with no childcare when you are due to return to work. A nanny share may be another option- though it's still more expensive than a childminder I should think.

Littlefish · 14/04/2011 18:40

Sorry - cross posted. I agree with the idea of looking for a childminder. Smile

Littlefish · 14/04/2011 18:39

I'm afraid that they won't follow his routine "to the letter". They are unlikely to wake him up if he's fast asleep. Part of their responsibility is to respond to the needs of each child. If he's asleep, then he needs sleep.

I think that if you may need to consider a nanny if you need/want childcare in which you stipulate the exact terms of his routine.

Original poster
JazzieJeff · 14/04/2011 18:35

Yep, I've been leaning towards at CM. Can't really afford a nanny; it'd be a real push Sad

I'm just worried he's trying to tell us he's unhappy through not sleeping/eating when he's there...

OP posts:
moogster1a · 14/04/2011 18:33

I'm very biased! but I'd say a childminder is a better option for such a little one. CM's will have only your baby ( at the very most 2 if they have a variation ) and will be able to accommodate individual needs much better in a home environment.